Concrete Traffic Control Barrier With Thermoplastic Cover

ABSTRACT

A modular traffic barricade comprising: a concrete substrate disposed within a molded thermoplastic outer layer and comprising an interior surface, an exterior surface, a selectively closable access point, and a predetermined molded to the exterior surface of the outer layer.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Art

The present invention is generally related to traffic control barriers. More specifically, the present invention is related to portable concrete traffic control barriers.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The most common type of traffic control barrier, the “Jersey barrier,” (FIG. 1) was developed at the Stevens Institute of Technology in 1950s under the direction of the New Jersey State Highway Department to divide multiple lanes on a highway. A typical Jersey barrier stands 32 inches (81 cm) tall and is made of steel-reinforced poured concrete or plastic.

Concrete is a composite material comprising water and coarse granular material (“aggregate”) embedded in a hard matrix of “cement,” a substance that sets and hardens and can bind other materials together. The cement fills the space among the aggregate particles and glues them together. Cements used in construction can be characterized as being either hydraulic or non-hydraulic, depending upon the ability of the cement to be used in the presence of water.

Non-hydraulic cement will not set in wet conditions or underwater; instead, it sets as the cement dries and reacts with carbon dioxide in the air. Non-hydraulic cement can be attacked by some aggressive chemicals after setting.

Hydraulic cement is made by replacing some of the cement in a mix with activated aluminium silicates, pozzolanas, such as fly ash. Hydraulic cement can harden underwater or when constantly exposed to wet weather. The chemical reaction results in hydrates that are not very water-soluble, and they are more durable in water and safer from chemical attack than non-hydraulic cements.

Thus, concrete is a mixture of two components: aggregates and paste. In modern concrete, a variety of materials help make up aggregates, including sand and various sizes of gravel and crushed stone. Aggregates are divided into two categories based on particle size: fine aggregate, which is 0.2 inches (5 millimeters) or smaller and coarse aggregate as large as 1.5 inches (38.1 millimeters).

Cement serves as the paste in modern concrete. Dry cement mixes contain a host of different materials that typically include limestone, clay, gypsum, and various other chemicals and minerals. After the materials have been crushed, mixed in appropriate proportions, burned and ground, the resulting mixture is ready to be combined with water. When this occurs, a chemical process called hydration takes place, and the resulting paste dries into a solid mass.

Supplementary cementitious materials (“SCM”) such as pozzolans (for example, power-plant ash) and slag (a byproduct of iron smelting) are sometimes added to the cement mixture as well. Pozzolans are materials that exhibit cementlike properties when combined with lime.

To create prearranged concrete forms, wet, uncured concrete is poured into wooden molds that are carefully measured to meet the necessary slab specifications. In the case of reinforced concrete, the form will contain steel rods or mesh. Then the concrete can be compressed and smoothed over as needed. Temperature and moisture are both important factors in proper concrete drying. As the concrete dries, it inevitably shrinks. To prevent this process from taking place unevenly and potentially warping the finished slab, it's important to keep the surface of the concrete damp to slow the shrinkage uniformly.

Extremely low or high temperatures can also pose a problem. Extreme heat will cause rapid curing, while chilly temperatures can draw the process out and produce weaker concrete. As such, summer construction crews typically work during the cooler portion of the day and use warming additives during cold weather. Calcium chloride, for instance, will speed up the chemical curing process, which produces heat. A good sealant will help protect the concrete once the slab has fully dried.

Traffic barriers are often constructed with embedded steel reinforcement protruding from each end which allows them to be incorporated into permanent emplacements when linked to one another by sections of fresh concrete poured on-site.

The widespread use of traffic barriers for road construction an perimeter security has led to wide application of the same as a generic, portable barrier for temporarily rerouting traffic or reversing highway lanes.

Modern variations of the Jersey barrier include the F-shape barrier (FIG. 2). The F-shape is generally similar to the Jersey barrier in appearance but is taller with somewhat different angles. The F-shape barrier is another concrete crash barrier, originally designed to divide lanes of traffic on a highway. It is a modification of the widely used Jersey barrier design, and is generally considered safer.

More recently, rotationally molded hollow polymer barriers containing water, sand, or other material are often used short-term applications where portability of a barrier is important.

Rotational moulding is a process for manufacturing hollow plastic products. Rotational molding has particular advantages in terms of relatively low levels of residual stresses and inexpensive molds. Rotational molding is best known for the manufacture of tanks but it can also be used to make complex medical products, toys, leisure craft, and highly aesthetic point-of-sale products.

The principle of rotational molding of plastics consists of introducing a known amount of plastic in powder, granular, or viscous liquid form into a hollow, shell-like mold. The mold is rotated about two principal axes at relatively low speeds as it is heated so that the plastic enclosed in the mold adheres to, and forms a monolithic layer against, the mold surface. The mold rotation continues during the cooling phase so that the plastic retains its desired shape as it solidifies. When the plastic is sufficiently rigid, the cooling and mold rotation is stopped to allow the removal of the plastic product from the mold. At this stage, the cyclic process may be repeated.

Unfortunately, plastic barriers are normally designed to be filled with water, and they are not able to deflect vehicles, so vehicles may penetrate the barriers. These barriers can also be filled with soil, spill, or concrete to produce a heavier barrier with greater crash protection, at the cost of reduced portability.

Thus, a need exists for a portable relatively impenetrable traffic barrier capable of incorporating a highly detailed graphic design.

SUMMARY

To address the need for a portable, relatively impenetrable, traffic barrier capable of incorporating a highly detailed graphic designs, the present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, a modular traffic barricade comprising: a concrete substrate disposed within a molded outer layer comprising, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a selectively closable access point, and a predetermined drawing molded to said exterior surface of said outer layer.

The barricade of the present invention may further comprise a plastisol, polyethylene, polycarbonate, acetate butyrate, polyamide, elastomers, polyurethane, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, fluorocarbons, cross-linked polyethylene, or nylon along with a light reflective material or flame retardant additive.

The barricade of the present invention may further comprise a generally pyramid shape with accessories attached thereto, which accessories may include an eye bolt, a light assembly, or a traffic sign.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description given hereinafter and from the accompanying drawings of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, which, however, should not be taken to limit the invention, but are for explanation and understanding only. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a prior art “Jersey” style traffic barrier.

FIG. 2 shows a prior art “F” style traffic barrier.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a traffic barrier according to the present invention with a closed “cap.”

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a traffic barrier according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a traffic barrier according to the present invention with an open “cap.”

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram for making a traffic barrier according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will be discussed hereinafter in detail in terms of the preferred embodiment according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious, however, to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instance, well-known structures are not shown in detail in order to avoid unnecessary obscuring of the present invention.

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations.

All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. In the present description, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.

Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring first to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of a traffic barrier 1000 according to the present invention with a closed cap 200. As illustrated in FIG. 3, traffic barrier 1000 preferably comprises a pyramid shape. However, those of skill in the at will appreciate that other shapes may be used within the scope of the present invention, a pyramid shape is advantageous in that the concrete can be poured into outer layer 100 without residual stresses causing outer layer 100 to rupture.

Referring still to FIG. 3, outer layer 100 comprises a polymer rotationally molded into a fillable, hollow, geometric shape, such as a sphere, pyramid, or cuboid. The polymer used in making outer layer 100 comprises a resin such as polyethylene, polycarbonate, acetate butyrate, polyamide, elastomers, polyurethane, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, fluorocarbons, cross-linked polyethylene, and/or nylon.

As further illustrated in FIG. 3, outer layer 100 comprises a selectively accessible port covered by cap 200 through which concrete of a desired mixture may be poured into barrier 1000. Barrier 1000 further comprises opening 300 having means selectively attaching an eyebolt, signage, a light fixture, or other desirable accessory.

Referring next to FIG. 4, there is shown a side view of a traffic barrier according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4 and previously described in FIG. 3, traffic barrier 1000 preferably comprises a pyramid shape having an outer layer 100 with a cap 200. Outer layer 100 comprises a polymer rotationally molded into a fillable, hollow, geometric shape, such as a sphere, pyramid, or cuboid. The polymer used in making outer layer 100 comprises a resin such as polyethylene, polycarbonate, acetate butyrate, polyamide, elastomers, polyurethane, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, fluorocarbons, cross-linked polyethylene, and/or nylon.

Referring next to FIG. 5, there is shown a perspective view of a traffic barrier according to the present invention with an open cap 200. As illustrated in FIG. 5, traffic barrier 1000 preferably comprises a pyramid shape. However, those of skill in the at will appreciate that other shapes may be used within the scope of the present invention, a pyramid shape is advantageous in that the concrete can be poured into outer layer 100 without residual stresses causing outer layer 100 to rupture.

Referring still to FIG. 5, outer layer 100 comprises a polymer rotationally molded into a fillable, hollow, geometric shape, such as a sphere, pyramid, or cuboid. The polymer used in making outer layer 100 comprises a resin such as polyethylene, polycarbonate, acetate butyrate, polyamide, elastomers, polyurethane, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, fluorocarbons, cross-linked polyethylene, and/or nylon.

As further illustrated in FIG. 5, outer layer 100 comprises a selectively accessible port which can be covered by cap 200 through which concrete of a desired mixture may be poured into barrier 1000. Barrier 1000 further comprises opening 300 having means selectively attaching an eyebolt, signage, a light fixture, or other desirable accessory.

Referring next to FIG. 6, there is shown a block diagram for making a traffic barrier according to the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the process of making traffic barrier 1000 according to the present invention generally comprises mixing a desired concrete formulation; rotationally molding a hollow outer layer 100 having a desired shape, color, and predetermined graphics; pouring the concrete mixture into outer layer 100.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the polymer formation for outer layer 100 of barrier 1000 further comprises light reflective or other desirable additives.

The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications, or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. It should be understood, therefore, that the above description is of an exemplary embodiment of the invention and included for illustrative purposes only. The description of the exemplary embodiment is not meant to be limiting of the invention. A person of ordinary skill in the field of the invention or the relevant technical art will understand that variations of the invention are included within the scope of the claims. 

1. A modular traffic barricade, said barricade comprising: a concrete substrate fully disposed within a rotationally molded outer layer; said concrete substrate generally having the same shape as the outer layer said outer layer comprising an interior surface, an exterior surface, a selectively closable access point, a selectively removable cap for closing said access point and a predetermined graphic image applied to said exterior surface of said outer layer.
 2. The barricade of claim 1, wherein said molded outer layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: plastisols, polyethylene, polycarbonate, acetate butyrate, polyamide, elastomers, polyurethane, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate. Fluorocarbons, cross-linked polyethylene, and nylon.
 3. The barricade of claim 2, wherein said molded outer layer comprises a light reflective material.
 4. The barricade of claim 2, wherein said molded layer comprises a flame retardant material.
 5. The barricade of claim 1, wherein said outer layer comprises a generally pyramid shape.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The barricade of claim 1, wherein said barricade further comprises an accessory, said accessory selected from the group consisting of an eye bolt, a light assembly, and a traffic sign. 